12th Manipur State League SSU, NISA tied; Muvanlai blank TRAU
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 09 2017:
SSU, Singjamei and NISA, Thangmeiband played out a drab, goalless draw while Muvanlai Athletics, Sadar Hills blanked TRAU, Kwakeithel in today’s matches of the ongoing 12 Manipur State League at Mapal Kangjeibung .
In the first encounter, SSU, Singjamei and NISA, Thangmeiband split points after they settled for a goalless stalemate.
With a point after today’s draw, SSU were placed 5th with 10 points in 8 matches in the 12-team league table.
On the other hand, NISA were perched at the 10th place with 8 points in 8 matches .
NISA had the better share of the exchanges in the first session and also the best chance to score.
The Thangmeiband outfits also made forays into their rivals’ area but their attempts were foiled by Singjamei defenders with ease .
The two teams miserably failed to exhibit alacrity in the second session too much to the disappointment of the fans.
Although NISA created some chances in the second half they could not simply convert them .
In another thrilling encounter, Muvanlai Athletics, Sadar Hills notched a slender 2-1 win over TRAU, Kwakeithel to go 7th place in the league table with 9 points from 8 matches.
TRAU stayed at 9th place with 8 points in 8 matches .
The two teams were resilient right from the start of the match.
Although, TRAU mostly dominated the game, Muvanlai Athletics showed more elegance and consistency .
It was Muvanlai Athletics who drew first blood after converting a penalty kick in the 9th minute .
Cleaven Hmarramnghak unleased a ball inside TRAU’s goal area.
G Lunminthang made a swift attempt to collect the ball when he was brought down by TRAU defender inside the box.
The centre referee pointed straight at the penalty spot .
Muvanlai’s striker Haolengou Kipgen stepped forward to take the kick and made no mistake in sending the ball inside the net .
The lead was however cancelled out in the 45+1 minute when unmarked M Deepak’s attempt on goal off a crossing from Kh Shitaljit from the right flank caught MA’s custodian on the wrong side .
The second half saw the surge of TRAU who intensified their onslaughts.
However, Muvanlai defenders, marshalled by centre back L Jonathan Ginthianlal thwarted any danger posed by their rivals’ forwards .
Muvanlai Athletics resorted to quick counters and often caught their rivals’ defence off-guard, but found themselves short of ensuring fine finishing .
After a few failed swift counter-attacks, Muvanlai Athletics forwards found TRAU’s defence napping and G Lunminthang found the net in the 79th minute which eventually earned MA all the full points.